Page 63 - Department of Social Development Annual Report 2021

Programme 4: Welfare Services Policy Development and
ECD services through subsidising the cost of employment,
Implementation Support
developed Service Delivery Model and the Framework for
help restoring the provision of ECD services, support
The Department introduced the Children’s Amendment
Quality Assurance and Support System in relation to ECD.
continued operation and to reduce the risk of permanent
Programme Purpose
The Model and the Framework will provide a different
Bill in Parliament in August 2020. The Bill aims to
closure. The programme provided income support to the
perspective in the implementation of ECD services, the
strengthen the current childcare and protection system,
ECD workforce by paying a once off payment of R4 100
to address court orders and provide the necessary
quality of service that need to be taken into consideration
Create an enabling environment for the delivery of
per ECD practitioner/workforce in all ECD programmes
legislative reform to respond to challenges affecting
and the support that will be provided to service providers
equitable developmental welfare services through the
affected by the pandemic to ensure that ECD services
formulation of policies, norms and standards and best
to improve the quality of service in their programmes.
children. The Children’s Amendment Bill introduces
remain operational. A total of R496 million was allocated
numerous areas that require new regulations. Although it
practices, and support implementing agencies.
towards this project and at the end of the reporting
is still under consideration by Parliament, the Department
During the reporting period, the Department facilitated
period, over R100 million was dispersed to all ECD
the re-opening of the ECD programmes. The Guidelines
deemed it prudent to commence drafting the regulations
Children, Legislation, Monitoring and Reporting
services that were found eligible for this programme. A
so as not to delay implementation. The Bill was also
and Standard Operating Procedures were developed to
total of 28 283 applications from ECD services were
presented to the Portfolio Committee on Social
The Department coordinated and facilitated the approval
guide ECD services in complying with the COVID-19
received with 126 283 workforce for this programme.
regulations. In this regard, weekly progress reports were
of the fourth National Plan of Action for Children (NPAC)
Development. Furthermore, the Department finalised the
More applications were received from female ECD
2019 – 2024 by the Cabinet. This is a comprehensive and
submitted to National Joint Operational and Intelligence
draft regulations for the Children’s Amendment Bill,
operators, with majority of them being African.
Structure (NATJOINT) and Heads of Social Development
which will provide procedures and guidelines that dictate
holistic framework for the integration of policies and
Sector (HSDS). This also led to the infrastructure
plans developed by government departments and civil
how the provisions of the Amendment Act will be applied
Families
component of the ECD conditional grant being
once promulgated by the President.
society to promote the well-being of children.
re-purposed to support ECD services with Personal
During the reporting period, the Department reviewed the
During the period under review, the Department through
Protective Equipment (PPE) for them to comply and be
The Department acknowledges that the quality assurance
White Paper on Families. The White Paper will contribute
this unit, made significant strides in improving the
able to re-open.
of children’s services and programmes has been
to strengthening of families in South Africa with a focus
institutional arrangements for the Child Rights sector in
conducted in a fragmented and uncoordinated manner. A
on addressing the behaviours and attitudes of men
The NDP indicates that by 2030, there should be universal
comprehensive Quality Assurance Framework has been
the country. In this regard, coordination structures were
towards their female counterparts. Programmes within
finalised to ensure a service delivery approach driven by
functional and were able to achieve the objectives of
access to ECD services for all children in the country.
the White Paper will also address the roles of both parties
sharing information on policy developments as well as
the need to protect the children from harm and
Provision of ECD services and ensuring availability of
within the families and how children, both boys and girls
these services contributes to the quality of basic
provide consultative platform on the rights and
encourage their growth and development. The
should behave around each other.
responsibilities of children.
education. In this regard, the Department forged
Framework will encourage adherence to childcare
partnership with the National Lottery Commission (NLC)
legislation and policies while also providing a systematic
The Department, through this unit, conducted an audit on
Furthermore, the Department conducted a review of the
mechanism to facilitate the ongoing identification of
to provide decent infrastructure for those children in rural
parenting programmes in all provinces. The purpose for
areas receive quality ECD programmes like children in
quality problems and possible actions for resolution. The
status of children in the country, and a draft annual child
the audit was to identify parenting programmes provided
Framework consolidate the relevant Children’s Act
other areas. Led by the Deputy Minister, the Department
rights status report was produced. The report is aligned to
and
the
Department
implemented
and
by
monitoring processes, procedures and tools including
in partnership with eSimphiwe launched the distribution
the fourth NPAC and it summarises the year 2020 trends
Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) throughout the
regarding children’s rights and well-being. The report is
those that have an influence on children services into one
of ECD centres built by NLC. Distribution events took
country.
document for standardisation and uniformity across the
also aligned to the concluding observations and
place in EC, FS, KZN, LP and NW; the purpose of these
Republic.
recommendations from the United Nations Committee on
events was to provide the ECD centres with Personal
The audit also intended to establish which parenting
the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the African
Protective Equipment (PPE) for them to comply with
programmes are implemented, their aims and objectives,
Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the
Covid-19 regulations while providing services to children.
The implementation of the Children’s Act has been
the target group and the intended outcomes in terms of
underway for over a decade. However, there has not been
Child (ACERWC).
the impact on the recipients. This will result in
a full-scale exercise to evaluate its implementation and
The Department also attended to enquiries from the UN
The Department launched the Vangasali Campaign in
strengthening families by equipping them with effective
impact. The Department conducted preliminary study
June 2020. The campaign is aimed at “Finding every ECD”
relating to child rights matters in the country. The
parenting skills.
and contributes towards universal access as it promotes
towards an impact evaluation of the Children’s Act. The
Department coordinated the country’s inputs on the Draft
work culminated in recommendations and proposals for
General Comment 25 on Children's rights in relation to
the registration of centers and ensuring that children in
HIV and AIDS
the digital environment as well as contributing to the
the proposed impact evaluation study, its focus, the
these centers are supported and provided with quality
programmes. The campaign assisted the Department in
evaluation design, and lastly the proposed cost options.
ACERWC discussions on initiatives by member states to
understanding the spread of ECD services and to align the
Social Service Practitioners (SSPs) capacitated on psychosocial
cushion the effects of the Covid-19 on the rights of
planning towards the right beneficiaries. Through this
support guidelines programmes
children.
During the outbreak of Covid-19, the children sector had
campaign, a total of 52 000 ECD services were registered
The Department continued with capacity building of
no Disaster Management Plan or Policy to guide
on the Vangasali database. Furthermore, the Department
SSPs. In this regard, a total of 205 SSPs were capacitated
The Department also facilitated the institutionalisation of
stakeholders and service providers. The Department then
in collaboration with Nelson Mandela Foundation held
on the Guidelines on HIV Testing Services for Social
commenced with consultations through the National
child participation on matters involving their wellbeing.
orientation sessions with DSD provincial departments,
Services Practitioners in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and
In this regard, the Department hosted the Nelson
Child Care and Protection Forum (NCCPF) to produce a
including Environmental Health Practitioners on the
Mpumalanga provinces. The Guidelines ensure early
Mandela Children’s Parliament wherein children, through
comprehensive Covid-19 Child Care and Protection Sector
identification of Orphans, Vulnerable Children and Youth
registration process, in preparation for fast-tracking
Response Plan. The Plan was finalised and will guide
the Child Ambassadors Programme had a platform to
registration and massification drive in the next financial
(OVCY) at higher risk of contracting HIV. This is achieved
discuss issues affecting their wellbeing. The Department
service provision during the Covid-19 national state of
year.
through risk assessments and linking them to HIV testing
further
disaster period.
coordination
the
facilitated
services, access to treatment, provision of support
commemoration of days celebrating their rights such as
During the period under review, the Department received
services and ensuring that they remain adherent to their
the International Day of the Child.
the Presidential ECD Stimulus Relief Fund. The fund was
PART B: PERFORMANCE INFORMATION of the Early Childhood Development (ECD) During the period under review, the Department aimed at supplementing the income generated by the
PERFORMANCE BY PROGRAMME
treatment programme. The provision of psychosocial During the reporting period, the Department launched the The Department, in collaboration with United Nations The Department also developed the draft Monitoring
support services is provided with an emphasis on YOLO and ChommY programmes with the Deputy Minister Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and European Union (EU) Tool on the Intersectoral Protocol on the Prevention and
disclosure and adherence. of Social Development in KZN and GP. initiated and launched project on "EU global promotion Management of Violence against Children, Child Abuse,
of best practices for children in migration” in October Neglect and Exploitation. The Monitoring Tool will assist
Furthermore, the Guidelines advocate for routine HIV risk 2020. The project covers the period from 2020 to 2023 with the standardised and uniform services rendered by
assessment and referral to appropriate health-testing Child Protection and will be implemented in four countries, namely; all child protection stakeholders for children affected by

services, and promotes the national Cheka Impilo Mexico, El Salvador, Zambia and South Africa. The overall violence, child abuse, neglect and exploitation; and will
Wellness Campaign. The Campaign encourages citizen to During the period under review, the Department objective of the project is to ensure that children on the also allow for monitoring of the services rendered. The
know their HIV status in order to access treatment. The conducted capacity building on the Adoption Policy move are effectively protected and their rights are being Monitoring Tool was consulted with all provinces and it
intervention of trained SSPs also contributes to the Framework and Strategy, Guidelines and Training Manual realised. will be approved in the new financial year.
UNAIDS 95-95-95 Strategy, which encourages 95% of and the Register of Adoptable Children and Prospective
people with HIV to test, of those tested, 95% to be on Adoptive Parents (RACAP). In this regard, a total of 432 The project will directly affect and engage with the Professional Social Services and Older Persons
treatment, and 95% of those on treatment to be virally Social Workers in eight provinces, except for following stakeholders;
suppressed. Mpumalanga, were capacitated on both the Framework • Duty bearers being officials at a regional, nation- During the reporting period, the Department finalised the
and the Strategy. al, provincial, local level and media, public Social Service Practitioners Draft Bill. The draft Bill was
The Department received funding from the German frontline officers and staff (police, civic and approved by Cabinet in the 2019/20 financial year, and
Development Bank to the value of €9m (9 million pounds) The capacity building on the Framework and Strategy immigration officers, social workers, etc.), subsequently gazetted for public comments. Comments
for the construction of 17 Community Care Centres (CCCs) was conducted to empower and enable Social Workers to • Stakeholders such as International Organization were received from individuals, South African Council for
in NW, KZN and LP. Up to 2019, a total of 11 of the 17 provide adoption services as required by the Legislation. for Migration (IOM), United Nation High Social Service Professions (SACSSP), academic
CCCs were completed with six in KZN, three in NW and Furthermore, training on the RACAP was conducted to Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other institutions, interest groups supporting certain
two in LP. During the reporting period, the Department assist the Social Workers when they match children with organisations that are part of national, regional occupations, national and provincial departments, local
completed an additional three CCCs in NW, bringing the adoptive parents. The training also ensured that the or global policy and strategy processes, and municipalities and professional networks.
total to 14 CCCs. principle of subsidiarity as required by Legislation is • Children on the move include migrant, internally
adhered to. The principle requires that children should displaced, stateless, returnee, asylum seekers Public comments served as basis for redrafting the Bill
Community Care Centres strive to strengthen service be placed locally, and all avenues must be explored and refugee children, as well as children who with the support of sector legal services at both national
delivery in all benefiting communities by ensuring that before considering intercountry adoption option. Section move voluntarily or involuntarily, within or and provincial departments. The draft Bill was
integrated and comprehensive services are provided by 232 of the Children’s Act, 2005 (Act No. 38 of 2005) between countries, with or without their parents subsequently submitted to the Office of the Chief State
different stakeholders in a safer and well-equipped requires the Director–General to keep and maintain a or other primary caregivers, and whose Law Advisor (OCSLA). The Socio Economic Impact
facility. Targeted programmes addressing social ills are Register on Adoptable Children and Prospective Adoptive movement may open opportunities, but might Assessment (SEIAS) report was also developed and
provided to contribute to changes in behaviours of Parents (RACAP) for the purpose of keeping a record of also expose them to risks (or to an increased submitted to the Department of Performance Monitoring
beneficiaries, tp enhance psychosocial wellbeing, build adoptable children and a record of fit and proper risk) of economic or sexual exploitation, abuse, and Evaluation for certification. The Bill will be
resilience, self-esteem and confidence so that they can adoptive parents. RACAP training provided guidance to neglect and violence. submitted to Cabinet in the new financial year.
deal with adversities and participate meaningfully in adoption service providers regarding the implementation
programmes to address their needs. Services provided in of the adoption processes. Throughout the process, UNICEF will provide support to The Department continues to monitor implementation of
CCCs include psychosocial support to build psychosocial the national child protection system to effectively the Social Service Professions Act, 1978 (Act No. 110 of
wellbeing and resilience in beneficiaries, social and During the reporting period, a total 849 adoptions were provide services to these children. They will also work 1978) and related regulations. The Act provides for the
behaviour change programmes to reduce risky sexual registered, which includes 799 national adoptions and 50 with authorities, media and service providers to address establishment of the SACSSP which is entrusted with the
behaviour among children and youth, provision of cooked intercountry adoptions. Furthermore, a total of 166 the barriers such children may face in accessing regulation of social service practice and social service
meals, supervision of homework, recreational activities adoption service providers were accredited, that number comprehensive birth registration and other basic professionals (Social Workers and Child and Youth Care
and initiation of income generating projects. includes 128 Child Protection Organisations and 38 services. Workers).
Social Workers in private practice. To this end, the RACAP
The Department, in collaboration with Health and was managed with 264 children and 80 parents The Department developed a draft Monitoring Tool on In regulating social service professionals, the SACSSP;
Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority registered respectively. the implementation of Guidelines on Community Based • determines minimum qualifications,
(HWSETA), nominated 350 Community Caregivers from Prevention and Early Intervention Services to Vulnerable • required registration,
Gauteng and Mpumalanga who were taken through an The Children's Second Amendment Act, 2016 (Act No. 18 Children. The Tool aims to support community-based • develops and maintains registers for social
exercise of Recognition of Prior Learning so that they can of 2016) included Department of Social Development organizations that provide services to Orphan and workers and child and youth care workers,
acquire certificates in Child and Youth Care. (DSD) Social Workers in the definition of an adoption Vulnerable Children (OVC), by improving routine • sets standards for education and training of
Social Worker. The regulations pertaining to the monitoring system and the collection of information that social service professionals; and
SSPs capacitated on Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) registration of specialty in adoption work requires Social is fit for purpose, including information for identifying • monitors compliance with code of ethics and
programme Workers to be registered with the South African Council beneficiaries, case management and routine programme. standards for professional conduct.
for Social Services Profession (SACSSP). Registration Furthermore, the Tool will ensure that there is uniform
The Department, through this unit, capacitated 225 SSPs renewal and payment of 191 DSD Social Workers was and standard information collected in the provinces, Social Workers and Child and Youth Care Workers are
on Social and Behaviour Change programmes. The effected with the SACSSP as adoption specialists. A total which will be used to evaluate and determine what works expected to pay approved prescribed annual fees to the
Department continued to partner with South African of 105 children were repatriated through International and keep programming on track and ensuring positive Council. In this regard, regulations on fees payable for
National AIDS Council (SANAC) to implement SBC Social Services to Lesotho and Zimbabwe while three impacts on OVCs and families. the 2021/22 financial year were developed and gazetted
programmes. Through this partnership, the Department were repatriated into the country, two being from for public comments. Once finalised, these regulations
and SANAC Men’s Sector co-hosted the National Men’s Zimbabwe and one from Uganda.
Parliament in Cape Town. The Parliament was attended
by men and boys from all provinces.
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ANNUAL REPORT 2020/21
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ANNUAL REPORT 2020/21 67
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will guide specific amounts payable for, amongst others, protection of older persons. The Older Persons provinces. Relevant information on preventative
registration of professionals in various categories of Amendment Bill was presented to the Technical Working measures including WHO Protocols were disseminated to
social service professions. Group (TWG) of the SPCHD and SPCHD Cluster. The Bill residential facilities for Older Persons through the
received approved for it to be presented to Cabinet for provinces, to ensure adherence with to protocols.
During the reporting period, the term of office of the approval to be introduced to Parliament.
current members of the Council and Professional Boards Residential facilities were prioritised according to
for social work and child and youth care work was In 2018/19, the Department finalised the Implementation infections and inability of facilities to control infection,
extended for 12 months, effective from June 2021 to Evaluation of the Older Persons Act, 2006 (Act No. 13 of leading to deaths, screening and testing challenges etc.
June 2022. In preparation for the appointment of new 2006). The Implementation Evaluation was aimed at In addition, National Institute for Communicable
members of Council and Professional Boards, approval assessing how the Older Persons Act is being Diseases (NICD) developed an online hospital
was also granted to develop Induction Policy and implemented and how it can be improved. The surveillance platform for Covid-19, called DATCOV19, in
Procedure Manual. The new members will assume office Evaluation Report and Improvement Plan were presented which the information on admitted patients was
at the end of the extended period of the existing to the Technical Working Group (TWG) of the SPCHD and submitted by health care workers in sentinel surveillance
members. SPCHD Cluster and Cabinet. Cabinet approved both the sites that allows analysis of risk factors for severe
Evaluation Report and Improvement Plan with the disease and mortality. This assisted the Department to
The Department developed the White Paper for Social following recommendations; know the data on infections, death and recoveries.
Development. The White Paper was extensively • for more consultation with the sector to
consulted with various stakeholders, including provincial develop an implementation plan with roles Families and Social Crime Prevention
departments of social development, other national and responsibilities of key government
government departments, civil society organisations, departments. During the reporting period, the Department conducted
non-governmental organisations, research institutions • the implementation plans should inform how consultations with all provinces on the reviewing
and institutions of higher learning, the SACSSP, budget will be ring-fenced for Older Persons of the Integrated Social Crime Prevention Strategy.
professional associations and other critical stakeholders. programmes, The purpose of the consultations was to explore the
The White Paper provides a new vision and broad goals • the plan should be aligned with the approach inherent and proactive approaches to implementing
that will provide direction to the country on social of the District Development Model with the strategy in South Africa. A consolidated report on
development beyond the social welfare realm. It aligns respect to combating Gender-Based Violence the consultations with provinces on the reviewing of
well with the seven priorities Government aspires to (GBV), addressing the plight of older women the Strategy was compiled. The report outlines the
achieve in the next five years. It also sets the basis for the given the spate of rape crimes and ensuring challenges, achievements, lessons learnt and makes
development of a national overarching social integrated governmental approach towards recommendations for effective implementation of the
development legislation, which will provide a unified strengthening the provision of service to Older strategy.
system to guide the provision of comprehensive, Persons.
integrated, rights based, well-resourced quality social The report further recommends continued
development services. The White Paper was presented A national consultative workshop was conducted in implementation of the Strategy to curb social ills that
before the Technical Working Group and the SPHCD March 2021 with the various stakeholders within the are a contributory factor to the committal of crime
Social Clusters and was endorsed to proceed to Cabinet sector including all provincial departments of Social and violence in South Africa. The consultation report
for approval. The applicable documents have been Development, Offices of the Premier, other key will be used to map the next stages of the reviewing
prepared and approved for presentation to Cabinet. government departments as well as non-governmental of the Integrated Social Crime Prevention Strategy,
organisation, to develop the Implementation Plan. The as well as ascertaining ownership, collaboration and
In preparation for the effective implementation of the Implementation Plan will be presented to FOSAD for partnership amongst government departments, civil
White Paper, the Department developed a draft endorsement and a progress report will be submitted to society organization and private sector to respond.
implementation plan. The implementation plan was Cabinet as part of the National Evaluation Plan (NEP). These initiatives contribute towards priority 5 on Social
consulted with all provincial departments of social cohesion and safe communities.
development. The plan provides for the implementation The Department finalised the re-development of the
of the White Paper by Departments of Social Older Persons Abuse Register (OPAR). A total of seven
Development at all spheres of government, other provinces were trained on the improved OPAR system
government departments with responsibility for the .The remaining two provinces will be considered for
delivery of social welfare services, non-governmental training in the new financial year.
organisations and community-based organisations.
Further consultations will be conducted with all critical In responding to Covid-19 pandemic, the Department
stakeholders in order to realise the effective and efficient partnered with Department of Health (DoH) to support
implementation thereof. residential facilities in dealing with the pandemic. The
Department of Health in line with the World Health
During the reporting period, the Department finalised the Organisation (WHO) protocols on Covid-19, developed
Older Persons Amendment Bill, 2020. The Older Persons guidelines, tools and training programmes for the
Amendment Bill is aimed at tightening the gaps in the residential facilities. Furthermore, an action plan on
Older Persons Act, 2006 (Act No. 13 of 2006) to ensure Covid-19 response was developed and consulted with